Early and Decisive Intervention to Protect Your Voice and Breath: Laryngeal Cancer Surgery
Laryngeal cancer, which manifests with symptoms such as hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, or shortness of breath, is a disease that is almost entirely curable when diagnosed early. Our goal is not only to remove cancerous tissue from your body, but also, in every possible case, to use advanced microsurgical and laser techniques that preserve your voice, swallowing function, and natural airway (organ-sparing). We focus not on the disease, but on your quality of life and your voice.
What is laryngeal (larynx) cancer and what are the treatment approaches?
The larynx, located in the front middle part of our neck, is a vital organ that enables us to breathe, swallow, and speak by housing our vocal cords. Laryngeal cancer occurs when cells in this area multiply uncontrollably, particularly due to long-term smoking (tobacco) and alcohol use. The earliest and most important symptom is a persistent cough lasting longer than 2-3 weeks that does not respond to medication. hoarseness. Our surgical approach varies completely depending on the stage of the disease. In very early-stage tumors, the tumor is removed with a laser through the mouth without making any external incision in the neck, and the patient's voice is completely preserved. In intermediate stages, only the diseased part of the larynx is removed (Partial Laryngectomy), and the natural airway is preserved. However, in advanced stages where the entire larynx has been affected, it may be necessary to remove the entire larynx (Total Laryngectomy) and create a stoma (breathing space) in the patient's neck to save their life. Therefore, "early diagnosis" is the single most powerful key to preserving your own voice.
- Those experiencing persistent hoarseness or voice cracking that lasts longer than 2-3 weeks.
- Those who experience a feeling of something stuck in their throat when swallowing, a constant tickle in the throat, persistent pain, and pain radiating to the ear.
- Individuals who have been using cigarettes/tobacco products or alcohol for many years and are therefore in a high-risk group.
- Those who have recently experienced wheezing (stridor) while breathing or shortness of breath without exertion.
- Those who notice a hard, painless swelling on their neck (particularly under the chin and on the sides) that hasn't gone down for weeks
Early diagnosis can restore your voice, and successful surgery can save your life.
The biggest fear in the eyes of my patients who come to my clinic with suspected laryngeal cancer is the question, "Will I lose my voice completely, will I live with a hole in my throat for the rest of my life?" As Dr. Nurten Küçük, the moment I rejoice most in my ENT practice is when a patient takes their hoarseness seriously and comes to me in the "early stage." Because in the early stages, without making any incisions in the neck, I can vaporize and remove the tumor using only a microscope and laser through the mouth, and send my patient home within a few days with their natural voice. Even in advanced stages, our priority is always to leave the healthy parts of the larynx in place with "organ-preserving" partial surgeries. Without ever compromising on oncological principles (removing the cancer from its root), I meticulously apply the finest surgical and rehabilitation techniques so that my patient can breathe and speak again without being isolated from social life.
Endoscopic Mapping and Biopsy
In cases of suspected hoarseness, the vocal cords are examined in the outpatient clinic using camera systems (endoscopy). If necessary, a tissue sample is taken from the suspected area under light anesthesia (biopsy), and the extent of the tumor is clarified with a neck MRI/CT scan.
Stage-Specific Oncological Surgery
Depending on the severity of the disease, closed laser surgery, partial laryngectomy (removal of the larynx while preserving voice and breathing), or total laryngectomy (removal of the entire larynx) in the most advanced stages to save lives are performed. If necessary, the lymph nodes in the neck are also cleared.
Voice Rehabilitation and a New Life
In the early stages, the voice usually returns quickly. Even in cases where the entire larynx is removed, our patients are not condemned to silence; 'Voice Prostheses' inserted between the trachea and esophagus enable the patient to speak fluently again in a short time.
Frequently Asked Questions
My voice has been hoarse for two weeks, could it be that I have throat cancer?
Absolutely not. The most common causes of hoarseness are simple vocal cord nodules (singer's nodules), gastric reflux, allergies, or upper respiratory tract infections. However, the golden rule of ENT medicine is this: if hoarseness lasts longer than 15 days (2-3 weeks), the underlying cause must be examined with a camera system (endoscope). This check is especially life-saving if you are an active smoker.
If I have laser surgery in the early stages, will I have a scar on my neck or will my throat be punctured?
No. In the "Transoral Laser Microsurgery" procedure we perform for early-stage laryngeal tumors, no external incisions (scalpel marks) are made on your neck. The procedure is performed entirely naturally, through the mouth using a microscope. The cancerous tissue is vaporized and removed with a laser. Your neck is not punctured externally, there is no scarring, and the hospital stay is extremely short.
If my entire larynx is removed (Total Laryngectomy), will I never be able to speak again?
This is a very wrong belief that leads patients to despair. Even if the entire larynx is removed due to an advanced tumor and the trachea is permanently connected to the neck (stoma/hole), our patients are not condemned to silence. After the healing process, thanks to a tiny "Voice Prosthesis" placed between the esophagus and the trachea, our patients learn to direct air while swallowing and can continue to speak fluently and chat on the phone.
Will I need radiotherapy (radiation therapy) after the surgery?
This depends entirely on the stage (size) of the tumor removed during surgery, the cell details from the pathology laboratory, and whether the disease has spread to the lymph nodes in the neck. After early-stage laser surgeries, no additional treatment is usually needed, and the disease is cured with surgery alone. However, in more advanced stages and in patients with lymph node involvement, radiotherapy (radiation) may need to be added after surgery, as decided by the oncology council, to prevent recurrence.
Take the first step towards an accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment.
For an initial consultation, examination, and personalized treatment plan, please contact us immediately.